So, I live in Warrington - this is a town half way between Manchester and Liverpool with a public transport system courtesy of the fairy godmother - the trains turn into carrots at midnight. As such I don't know the gay scene very well at either city and consequently have very few gay friends. This has little actual bearing at what's coming up, it's just a general moan. Manchester is obviously well known for it's gay village and annual pride event. I've blogged and complained about it in the past - pride should not be about walling off our community and a parade where the biggest and brightest are a bank and a beer company.

Liverpool though managed to do something amazing yesterday - they made me proud of Pride!

Liverpool has problems. Just two years ago, Michael Causer was murdered for being gay. Not long after another young gay man - an off duty trainee police officer - was beaten up and left for dead because of his sexuality. Just last week I saw another appeal for help investigated a homophobic attack. Yeah, Liverpool needs Pride.

That's why I decided to not only give it a chance (despite the big draw appearing to be Adam Rickett - really?) but to get an early train home from London to make sure I could go. I am so glad I did. Liverpool Pride took an odd step (from my experience) and banned floats. Yep, no lorries dragging Barclays adverts, no open top double deckers with guys camped up and shirtless gyrating to sell Corona. You could see the community groups.

There's a scene in The Laramie Project which always brings a tear to my eye - it's where they are talking about the homecoming parade with a tag for Matthew attached which starts off small but overshadows the rest of the parade by the end. That scene, although not entirely relevant, came to mind seeing that. It made me proud again.

There were no walls (let's not say Manchester fences off the gay village during pride - it's opaque 'fencing' - it's a wall). There were no wristbands. No tickets. But what there was was a hell of a lot of fun. I stayed round the acoustic stage (organised by Rebel Soul) which had fantastic artists on it while I was there. Stand out for me was probably Stealing Sheep. Unfortunately I missed the start of their set because of these dancing grannys.

So Liverpool, here's one to you! May next year be every bit as good!

Now, if only those trains would run at a sensible time and I wasn't such a wuss when it came to talking to other people...

Alex
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